Kalkoense haan 1873 - 1886

This is a drawing of a turkey cock, made by George Hendrik Breitner, with graphite on paper. Breitner was a master of capturing fleeting moments, and in this sketch, the immediacy is palpable thanks to the directness of the medium. Graphite, essentially pencil lead, allowed for quick, fluid lines. Notice how Breitner used hatching and cross-hatching to build up the form of the fowl, suggesting its volume and the texture of its feathers. The choice of such a readily available material reflects Breitner’s interest in portraying everyday life, and the rough and ready appearance of the sketch gives it an unpretentious air, far removed from the grand historical paintings of earlier generations. The sketch is a testament to Breitner’s ability to see beauty in the mundane, using simple materials and techniques to immortalize a humble barnyard animal. It invites us to reconsider what we value and how we define art.